In brief
A recent FIFA map displayed at the draw for the 2026 World Cup drew ire from Ukraine for excluding Crimea, a region annexed by Russia in 2014. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the graphic as an "unacceptable error," emphasizing it contravenes international law. Heorhiy Tykhy, a spokesperson, demanded a public apology from FIFA, stating the organization appeared to support Russian narratives. FIFA acknowledged the issue, removing the image from its materials. The Ukrainian Football Association also formally addressed FIFA and UEFA regarding the misrepresentation. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Ukraine finds itself in Group D, set to compete against Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the winner of the Nations League quarter-final between France and Croatia.
Ukraine Seeks Apology from FIFA for Crimea Map Error Ukraine has called for FIFA to apologize for displaying a map that omitted Crimea during the World Cup draw. A recent FIFA map displayed at the draw for the 2026 World Cup drew ire from Ukraine for excluding Crimea, a region annexed by Russia in 2014. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the graphic as an "unacceptable error," emphasizing it contravenes international law. Heorhiy Tykhy, a spokesperson, demanded a public apology from FIFA, stating the organization appeared to support Russian narratives. FIFA acknowledged the issue, removing the image from its materials. The Ukrainian Football Association also formally addressed FIFA and UEFA regarding the misrepresentation. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Ukraine finds itself in Group D, set to compete against Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the winner of the Nations League quarter-final between France and Croatia.
